Powder measurement and dispensing apparatus

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for dispensing powder from a container to a cartridge shell includes a slidable member for receiving metering elements having different size openings extending therethrough for receiving predetermined amounts of powder. A valve adapted to be opened or closed is connected between the container and the slidable member. The slidable member may be reciprocated manually to receive powder in a metering element to dispense it to an empty shell. The apparatus may be associated with other apparatus to permit reconditioning the shell and inserting bullets therein.

United States Patent [191 Ross [ POWDER MEASUREMENT AND DISPENSING APPARATUS [76] Inventor: John R. Ross, 5542 l-ladfield St.,

Philadelphia, Pa.

[22] Filed: Nov. 16, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 199,101

[52] US. Cl. 86/31 [51] Int. Cl. F42b 33/02 [58] Field of Search 86/31, 32, 33, 23

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,361,024 1/1968 Sheri-ill, .lr. 86/33 3,073,208 1/1963 Agnese 86/31 X 3,153,976 10/1964 Linder 86/31 X 1,032,768 7/1912 Phelps 86/32 2,856,807 10/1958 Stutzman 86/31 Primary Examiner-Benjamin A. Borchelt Assistant Examiner-H. J. Tudor Attorney-Edward M. Farrell ABSTRACT Apparatus for dispensing powder from a container to a cartridge shell includes a slidable member for receiving metering elements having different size openings extending therethrough for receiving predetermined amounts of powder. A valve adapted to be opened or closed is connected between the container and the slidable member. The slidable member may be reciprocated manually to receive powder in a metering element to dispense it to an empty shell. The apparatus may be associated with other apparatus to permit reconditioning the shell and inserting bullets therein.

5 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures Patented Aug. 14, 1973 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

JOHN F. ROSS ATTORNEY 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Lilli/a 1 INVENTOR.

JQHN F. R05 8 WWW AT TORNEY Patented Aug. 14, 1973 'Patented Aug. 14, 1973 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. JOHN F. ROSS BY i y w ATTORNEY POWDER MEASUREMENT AND DISPENSHNG APPARATUS Reloading cartridge shells which have been discharged is widely used in the gunning fields. The reason for this is that many gunners find it much cheaper to reload their own cartridge shells with appropriate powder and insert bullets therein than to buy the cartridges already made up.

Some patents issued relating to this field include patents to Carvin, U.S. Pat. No. 581,847; Candee, US. Pat. No. 1,604,145 and Sherrill, US. Pat. No. 3,361,024.

There are a number of machines being marketed which include apparatus for reconditioning cartridge shells, filling the shells with powder and inserting bullets. Many such machines, however, have be directed towards mass production and not directed to the individual gunner who generally requires something relatively inexpensive.

Many reloading devices being marketed have also been directed towards individual gunners. Such devices have included powder measurement devices wherein powder and/or shot maybe measured to permit a large number of shells to be filled. The precise measurement of powder is a critical voperation in a reloading sequence. Too little powder will result in unsatisfactory performance. On the other hand, too much powder in a cartridge may tend to cause a dangerous condition when a gun containing the cartridge is fired.

Powder measurement devices used heretofore have involved calibrated slides which are set to receive precise amounts of powder. Attached to the calibrated slide are micrometer screws which allow adjustment for very small changes. One problem found in the last mentioned devices is that, after a certain number of operations, the calibrations tend to go off. Periodically, in the order of every ten operations, the calibrations must be rechecked. Such rechecking generally requires weighting of the dispensed powder to make sure that the proper amount of powder is being dispensed. Also bushings with different size openings have been used with slide bars to dispense precisely measured amounts of powder. 1

One problem found in many prior art powder measuring and dispensing machines is that no means are provided to accommodate the filling of both pistol and rifle shells, wherein the amounts of powder requirements vastly differ.

Another problem or inconvenience found in most reloading machines used heretofore is that no convenient tion of parts when an operation is changed from cartridge shells to pistol shells, or vice versa.

While an inexpensive and simple reloading apparatus having means to permit removal of the powder container is desirable for the average small gunner, it is further desirable to incorporate such apparatus with other apparatus to permit complete reconditioning, refilling and inserting bullets in the cartridge. Further, it is desirable that such apparatus provide all these numerous fatiguing operations with a minimum amount of physi cal effort.

It is an object of this invention to provide improved apparatus for dispensing powder into cartridge shells wherein the flow of powder from the containers may be easily discontinued.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved powder measuring and dispensing apparatus capable of accommodating both pistol and rifle shells.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide improved apparatus for filling cartridge shells with powder in which the source of powder may be readily disconnected from the main mechanical portion of the apparatus.

It is a further object of this invention to provide improved apparatus for filling cartridge shells with different amounts of powder in which the amount of powder dispensed is precisely maintained constant as the apparatus is used. I

It is still a further object of this invention to provide an improved powder measurement and dispensing machine wherein the containers providing the sources of powder may be readily removed or replaced.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide an improved and relatively inexpensive apparatus for the average small gunner wherein shells may be reconditioned, filled and have bullets inserted therein.

It is still another object of this invention to provide an improved powder metering and dispensing machine which may be used for filling both cartridge and pistol shells without extensive changing of parts involved.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide apparatus to enable a person to perform multiple operations on shells with a minimum amount of physical fatigue.

In accordance with the present invention, a powder measuring and dispensing apparatus is provided for dispensing powder from a container to a cartridge shell.

means are provided to cut off the source ofv powder,

which is generally a container, and remove the container to permit cleaning of the apparatus or to permit replacement of the container of one type of powder with a container of a different type of powder.

Still another problem of many prior art machines relating to measuring and dispensing powder is that the machines have required a certain amount of skill or experience on the part of the person dispensing the powder. This often precluded a gunner from having an inexperienced friend or relative assist him while he performed other operations.

It is known that the amount of powder required for pistol and rifle cartridges vastly differ from each other. It is desirable to have a powder measuring and dispensing machine which does not require excessive duplica- A valve mechanism delivers the powder from the container to an element disposed within a slidable member.

The slidable member, slidable within a chamber, is adapted to receive any one of a plurality of metering elements having different size openings extending therethrough. Powder flows into the opening of the metering element when the slidable member is disposed inwardly within the chamber. When the slidable member is manually withdrawn outwardly, the opening of the metering element is registered with a bottom opening in the chamber to permit a precise amount of powder in the opening of the metering element to gravitate into the cartridge shell. A reciprocating action of the slidable member makes it possible to load a large number of cartridge shells with a precisely measured amount of powder. The valve mechanism may be actuated to shut off the supply of powder from the container to permit removal of the container from the apparatus with powder still in the container. The apparatus is designed so that slide members of different sizes may be employed to permit filling of both pistol and cartridge shells. The powder dispenser may be associated with other apparatus to permit reconditioning and insertion of bullets after reloading.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent and suggest themselves to those skilled in the art from a reading of the following specification and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a view of apparatus for measuring and dispensing powder into a cartridge, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate different types of metering bushing elements which may be used for receiving and measuring powder for delivery to a cartridge shell, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a front view of another embodiment of the present invention incorporating the measuring and dispensing apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2; and

FIG. 6 is a view of a different size slide member which may be incorporated in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawing, a powder measuring and dispensing apparatus 10 is illustrated A stand for the apparatus includes a top main member 12 mounted to a base member 14 by means ofa pair of tubular connecting rods 16 and 18. The rods 16 and 18 may be press-fitted into openings in the base member 14. The top member 12 may be slidably mounted on the rods 16 to provide variable height adjustment for the member 12. Screws or other suitable means may be used to hold the member 12 securely in place when the proper height adjustment has been achieved.

The top member 12 includes a pair of upwardly protruding walls 20 and 22. A top plate 24 including a threaded opening 26 therein is secured to the walls 20 and 22. A rectangular opening is provided by the top plate 24, the walls 20 and 22 and the top central portion of the top main member 12.

The rectangular opening formed by the top plate 24, the side walls 20 and 22, and the top main member 24 is dimensioned to receive an insert 19 and a movable powder measuring and dispensing slide element 28. The insert 19 having an opening 21 includes a pair of pins 23 and 25 to fit into openings 27 and 29, respectively. For purposes of clarity, the insert 19 shown in FIG. 2 is not seen in FIG. 1. The insert 19 is secured in place during operation with the slideelement 26 disposed to be moved over it. When the insert 19 is in place, the openings 21 and 32 are aligned. Slidable element 28 is relatively thin. The insert 19 and element 28 may be in the order of one halfinch thickness each and designed for use with pistol shells, for example. A slide member 25 having an opening 47, illustrated in FIG. 6, may be used for filling cartridge shells. The member 45 is of the same thickness as the insert 19 and member 28 combined, i.e. in the order of 1 inch thickness.

The measuring and dispensing element 28 includes an opening 30 dimensioned to receive and hold a measuring element 31. It is understood, when the member 45 is substituted for the member 28, that larger measuring elements would be used. The measuring or metering element 31 includes a cavity extending therethrough to receive the precise amount of powder to be dispensed. The slideelement 28 is adapted to be reciprocated manually back and forth, first to permit powder to pour into the cavity of the measuring element 31 and then to dispense powder from the measuring element, as will be seen.

The top member 12 includes an opening 32 disposed forwardly of the opening 26. A tube 34 is connected to the bottom portion of the member 12 to deliver powder passing through the cavity of the measuring element 31 to an empty cartridge 36.

A container 38 including the powder to be dispensed includes a cap 40 at one end to permit additional powder to be added without disassembly of the container from the main apparatus. The other end of the container 38 includes a valve mechanism 42 threadedly mounted to the container neck 44. The valve mechanism threadedly engages the opening 26. When the valve 42 is open during a cartridge refilling operation, powder from the container 38 drops through the valve 42 into the cavity of the measuring element 31, which is normally out of alignment with the opening 32 when the slide element 23 is disposed inwardly. When the slide element 28 is manually moved outwardly, the opening 32 becomes aligned with the cavity of the measuring element 31 to permit the powder stored in the measuring element to drop through the tube 34 to fill the cartridge 36.

The slide element 28 includes a rear stop insert member 46 and a front stop insert member 43. The insert members 46 and 48 are disposed to limit the degrees of inward and outward movements of the slide element 28. When the slide element 28 is moved inwardly to the limit of movement permitted by the insert member 48, the openings 26 and 30 are aligned with respect to each other and powder flows into the cavity of the measuring element 31. When the slide element 28 is moved outwardly to the limitof movement permitted by the insert 46, the openings 30 and 32 will be aligned with respect to each other to permit powder to flow into the cartridge 36.

The insert or metering element 31 may be circular in shape to fill into the opening 30. A normal system may include a plurality of metering elements, such as metering elements or inserts 31 and 33., as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, respectively.

Cavities 49 and 50 centrally disposed within the inserts 31 and 33, respectively, may be of different sizes to permit different amounts of powder to be measured and held. Thus, depending upon the amount of powder to be dispensed into a cartridge, different inserts having the proper sizes may be readily inserted into the opening 30 of the slide element 28.

Different slide inserts may be easily inserted into the slide element 28 by first removing one of the stop members 46 or 48 and removing the slide element from the main apparatus. The proper size metering element may then be inserted into the opening 30 with the slide element 28 then being reinserted into the apparatus and the removed stop member 46 or 48 replaced.

The valve arrangement 10 makes it possible to readily shut off the powder flow from the container 38. This makes it possible to remove the container to facilitate cleaning the dispensing apparatus. Further, it makes it possible to replace a container with one type of powder with a container having another type of powder.

Referring to FIG. 5, the invention is illustrated in apparatus designed for reconditioning shells, filling the shells with metered amounts of powder, and inserting bullets in the reconditioned shells. Apparatus 52 includes a press adapted to be secured to a work table 54 by any suitable means, such as by brackets 56 and 58 held to the table by bolts.

The press includes a top mounting plate 60 and a bottom mounting plate 61. The top plate includes a number of dies 62, 64, 66 and a ram element 68 adapted to fit through openings in the top plate 60. The dies and ram elements are disposed to be adjusted to different heights and held in place by suitable set screws 70.

The bottom mounting plate 61 includes openings for receiving cartridge shell holders 101, 103 and 105, as will be described. The shell holders extend into openings in the bottom plate 61 to predetermined distances and held in place by set screws 90, 92 and 94. A primer holder 95 also extends through an opening in the bottom plate and is secured to the bottom plate by means of a set screw 105. A shell holder (not illustrated) may be used to hold the shell to guide the shell and primer duringthe priming operation.

An arrangement including a powder dispensing container 72, metering apparatus 74 and a drop tube 76 is also mounted on the top plate 60. This arrangement may be similar to the one described and illustrated in connection with FIGS. 1 and 2.

The top plate 60 is connected to a foot pedal 73 through a pair of slide rods 80 and 82, which extend through openings in the table 54. A pair of guide bars 84 and 86 guide the downward movement of the top plate 60 and its connected elements when the top plate 60 is moved downward as an operator is pressing down on the foot pedal 78.

One of more springs, such as a spring 96, may be disposed between the top and bottom plates 60 and 61 to compress during the downward operation of the plate 60 and normally maintain it in an up-position when the pedal 78 is not depressed.

Apparatus 52 which includes powder dispensing and measuring apparatus, such as described in connection with FIGS. land 2, makes it possible for a gunner to completely recondition a used cartridge shell, performing such operations as depriming the shell, repriming and resizing the shell, fillingthe shell with a precise amount of powder and, finally, inserting a new bullet into the shell.

When a cartridge shell 63 is placed in the shell holder 101, the used primer within the cartridge shell is ready to be removed. An operator may depress the foot pedal 78, causing the die 62 to approach the cartridge shell 63. The die includes means for pushing out the used primer from the cartridge shell 63. Such a die 62 is conventionally and may, for examplefbe of the type which includes a pin centrally disposed within a housing to align with and disengage the used primer from the cartridge shell.

Following the removal of the old primer, the cartridge shell 63 is moved to the next position into shell holder 103 below the die 64. As is known, a used cartridge is generally expanded and deformed as a result of firing and must be resized. The foot pedal 78 is again operated to bring the die 64 into engagement with the cartridge shell 63.

The die 64 is used to resize the used cartridge case. The cartridge case is guided into the die 64 which includes a shell guide and resizing sleeve assembly. The cartridge shell 63 is forcibly driven into and tightly wedged in the bore of the resizing sleeve to resize and reform the exterior of the neck of thecartridge shell to its original specifications. Such resizing dies are commercially available and may be of a type described in a patent to Lee, US Pat. No. 3,580,127.

After the cartridge shell has been resized, it is moved to a position around the ram 68. A bullet holder, not illustrated, may hold and guide the shell during the priming operation. A new primer 97 is seated on the primer holder 95. When the foot pedal 78 is again depressed, the cartridge shell 63, having a small opening where the old primer was removed, is pressed downwardly so that the new primer 97 is forcibly inserted into the bottom opening of the cartridge shell.

The newly primed cartridge is then moved below the drop tube 76, where a predetermined amount of powder is dispensed therein in much the same manner as previously described in connection with FIGS. 1 and 2. The cartridge shell with the metered powder therein is now ready for the final step involving seating of a new bullet therein.

'The primed cartridge shell 63, with the powder therein, is then moved below the die 66. A bullet 99 may be seated on top of the cartridge case. The die 66 is then depressed downward by operation of the foot pedal 78. The bullet 99 is forcibly driven into the shell. The reloaded cartridge is then completely reconditioned and ready for use.

The various dies 62, 64, 66 and ram element 68 are selectively spaced from the cartridge shell prior to the various sequences of operations. Various stop elements, not illustrated, may be employed to limit the downward movement of the top plate 60 to prevent excessive pressures from being exerted on the cartridge shell 63 during the different operations.

The foot pedal arrangement makes it possible for an operator to keep his hands free to perform the various operations described while he performs the pressing operation with his foot. This arrangement has an advantage over hand-operated presses which tend to produce fatigue when other operations, such as described, must also be performed by hand.

The metering and dispensing apparatus 74 is adapted to include elements to permit different predetermined amounts of powder to be dispensed for different size cartridges. The valve arrangement makes it possible to cut off the flow of powder, remove the container 72 and replace it with a container having a different'kind of powder for different type cartridges. The various dies 62, 64, 66 and ram 68 may be readily replaced by other elements and adjusted to different heights. The

cartridge shell receiving elements 90, 92, 94 may be readily replaced. Thus, it is seen that the apparatus 52 has a wide range of versatility to permit a gunner to reload cartridge shells of different sizes and types while still using the same basic equipment. The machine may be periodically cleaned with a small brush without major disassembly of the parts.

It is apparent that modifications in some of the details of the embodiments illustrated may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, when riffle shells are involved, the depriming and resizing operations are often done with a single die.

The present invention has provided highly versatile apparatus wherein parts may be readily interchanged to enable a gunner to perform a wide variety of operations a on different size shells. Because the metering means employed do not permit error, a gunner may have an unskilled person help him in filling the shells with powder without having to worry about too much or too little powder being dispensed.

What is claimed is:

l. Apparatus for measuring and dispensing powder from a container to an empty cartridge comprising a main body having spaced top and bottom openings therein, an insert element having an aperture therein fixedly aligned with said bottom opening, a slidable member manually movable inwardly and outwardly by an operator disposed on said insert element, said slidable member including stop elements thereon to limit the inward and outward movement of said slidable member to the distance between said top and bottom openings to innermost and outermost positions, said slidable member having an aperture extending therethrough dimensioned to receive a powder metering element, said aperture being aligned with said top opening of said main body when said slidable member is disposed inwardly in its innermost position and being aligned with said bottom opening when said slidable member is disposed outwardly in its outermost position, a powder metering element disposed within said aperture of said slidable member, said powder metering element having a cavity extending therethrough dimensioned to receive the precise amount of powder to be dispensed into said empty cartridge, a drop tube connected to said main body to receive powder dispensed through said bottom opening of said main body and the aperture in said insert to deliver said powder to said empty cartridge shell, a manually operative valve mechanism to be manually opened or closed, means for connecting said valve mechanism directly between said container and the top opening of said main body, powder from said container being dispensed into the cavity of said metering element when said slidable member is in its innermost position and being dispensed from said cavity of said metering element to said drop tube when said slidable member is in its outermost position whereby the powder dispensed passes through said drop tube into said cartridge shell.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, a stand is provided to receive said apparatus, said stand including top and bottom plate members for holding a plurality of mechanisms for performing reconditioning operations on an empty shell, said top and bottom plate members being vertically spaced from each other, and means for moving said top and bottom plate members towards each other to permit an operator to cause a selected one of said conditioning operations to be performed.

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said means for moving comprises a foot pedal, a pair of rod elements fixedly connected between said foot pedal and said top plate member whereby said top plate member is moved towards said bottom plate member when said foot pedal is depressed by an operator.

4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein one or more bias springs are provided for normally maintaining a spaced relationship between said top and bottom plate members when said foot pedal is not depressed by an operator.

5. The apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein a pair of guide bars is provided to guide the downward movement of said top plate member. 

1. Apparatus for measuring and dispensing powder from a container to an empty cartridge comprising a main body having spaced top and bottom openings therein, an insert element having an aperture therein fixedly aligned with said bottom opening, a slidable member manually movable inwardly and outwardly by an operator disposed on said insert element, said slidable member including stop elements thereon to limit the inward and outward movement of said slidable member to the distance between said top and bottom openings to innermost and outermost positions, said slidable member having an aperture extending therethrough dimensioned to receive a powder metering element, said aperture being aligned with said top opening of said main body when said slidable member is disposed inwardly in its innermost position and being aligned with said bottom opening when said slidable member is disposed outwardly in its outermost position, a powder metering element disposed within said aperture of said slidable member, said powder metering element having a cavity extending therethrough dimensioned to receive the precise amount of powder to be dispensed into said empty cartridge, a drop tube connected to said main body to receive powder dispensed through said bottom opening of said main body and the aperture in said insert to deliver said powder to said empty cartridge shell, a manually operative valve mechanism to be manually opened or closed, means for connecting said valve mechanism directly between said container and the top opening of said main body, powder from said container being dispensed into the cavity of said metering element when said slidable member is in its innermost position and being dispensed from said cavity of said metering element to said drop tube when said slidable member is in its outermost position whereby the powder dispensed passes through said drop tube into said cartridge shell.
 2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, a stand is provided to receive said apparatus, said stand including top and bottom plate members for holding a plurality of mechanisms for performing reconditioning operations on an empty shell, said top and bottom plate members being vertically spaced from each other, and means for moving said top and bottom plate members towards each other to permit an operator to cause a selected one of said conditioning operations to be performed.
 3. APparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said means for moving comprises a foot pedal, a pair of rod elements fixedly connected between said foot pedal and said top plate member whereby said top plate member is moved towards said bottom plate member when said foot pedal is depressed by an operator.
 4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein one or more bias springs are provided for normally maintaining a spaced relationship between said top and bottom plate members when said foot pedal is not depressed by an operator.
 5. The apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein a pair of guide bars is provided to guide the downward movement of said top plate member. 